Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facility Use Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County will not open new auditorium for after-hours public use while staff studies costs and security
Summary
After two outside requests to use the new Rockingham County auditorium after hours, commissioners decided to keep the facility closed for non–business-hour public use for now, direct requests to the Hilton, and ask staff to draft a cost and security policy.
Rockingham County commissioners on April 16 agreed not to open the county’s new auditorium to outside groups outside normal business hours until staff completes a cost and security assessment and proposes a usage policy.
Board members said the county lacks operational capacity to staff and secure after-hours events at the new facility and that the current room-fee structure does not cover overtime and additional staffing costs. “I’m just concerned about opening the proverbial and actual door to these ... requests,” the Chair said, noting that allowing some groups and denying others could create inconsistent treatment. Commissioners suggested directing outside groups to the Hilton, which operates 24 hours and has historically hosted similar meetings.
The board asked staff to study a fee structure and staffing plan that would recover overtime, security and cleaning costs and to return with a recommendation. Commissioners also flagged potential security and custodial concerns (who would staff, sweep and secure the building) and said the county should consider at least one staff member onsite if evening events are allowed.
What the record shows: The decision was recorded as a consensus rather than a formal roll-call vote; the board did not approve any after-hours use at this meeting. Staff will return with cost estimates and a draft policy if demand persists.
Next steps: Staff to produce a cost-recovery analysis and draft an auditorium after-hours-use policy for the board to review.
